Arrived in Torino yesterday for the express purpose of shooting Carlo Mollino's garçonnière for the book. I have dreamed of shooting this space for about 10 years, so to say I am a bit excited seems like an understatement to say the least. But today, amid the clouds and drizzle, my host in Torino, Maurizio, and I just walked around and saw what Mollino there was to see around town. This is as close as I got to seeing inside his Teatro Regio. But I'll try again before I leave. I have seen pictures for years and refuse to leave without laying my eyes on it for real! The shots in this post today are around the entry to the Theatre.But the real discovery today has been Torino itself. What a beautiful city! Someone told me it was the Paris of Italy and it really does feel like Paris in many ways. Some of the most beautiful shops I have ever seen. More pics of this soon!

Friday, April 27, 2012

The thing about traveling solo is that these are the only pictures of myself I ever have. This is my self portrait from today at the Central train station in Milan. An amazing fascist building that I did not shoot because I was so tired. But I have this self portrait.
btw, I did a Q&A with the guys over at the OEN and it posted yesterday. They asked some questions that I really had to think about. Click here to check it out.
Have a fantastic weekend friends! I am off to Torino tomorrow to shoot a house I have wanted to shoot for 10 years...just a touch excited. ; )

Thursday, April 26, 2012

A couple more from Villa Necchi today. I honestly think this is the sexiest couch I have even seen. Especially the way the light is falling on it in this shot. I cannot stop thinking about it. I am going back tomorrow to shoot it with a proper camera. Tomorrow is my day off and I am going to go back and laze by the pool and stare at that couch again. I am a simple girl.
Saturday it is off to Torino! And the hard core shooting begins! Yes!!!

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

I went to an opening the other night at Museo Poldi Pezzoli and made a mental note to go back because the collection looked oddly diverse and amazing. Today I found myself outside its gates by accident and saw it as a sign. I love it! Here are a few of my favorites. The last image, of sun rings, made me cry for some reason. The guard thought I was cuckoo, but there is just something so moving about these instruments that were used so long ago. I end up imagining people sitting outside using them in the 17th century and it fills me with a wistful joy.

Friday, April 20, 2012

I spent some time at the Triennale Design Museum yesterday. It was nice to have a day to just see some stuff. there was a little bit of work in there, but overall, just pleasure. It was much needed. The first shot was just me lazing in the park. This woman is fantastic with her Italian greyhounds. The last two are from in the Triennale. The first of the architecture in the Italian graphic design exhibit (which is really worth a visit.) and the other from some weird little exhibit of miniatures...didn't read about the details on that one actually. Sorry bout that!
Have a great weekend friends. ; )

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Two quick notes for today. My favorite experience at this Salone thus far has been the Studio Nendo show at the Palazzo Visconti. Such a beautiful, well thought out presentation as you can see. Really stunning...
And my favorite person, who I just photographed a couple of hours ago, is Rossana Orlandi - a complete sweetheart. Can't share that one with you but I will when it is published. I love the portrait I just shot of her, though. Spazio Orlandi another good place to visit...

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

I have been locked indoors writing for a lot of my time in Italy thus far, but yesterday I ventured out and saw some wonderful things. Here are two of my favorite images. The first is the ceiling of the Fornasetti store. I just love how they always have clouds and a sun above their heads. A beautiful thought considering it is pouring down rain at the moment. The second is from a beautiful exhibit I went to at the Laboratorio Avallone. Such beautiful work by Sam Miller and Gennaro Avallone. The space is beautiful too of course. I got a crush on this bookcase. If you are in Milan for the Salone you should seek this out! Click here for more info.

Monday, April 16, 2012

I arrived in Milano yesterday and after a lovely meal with friends, I peeked into a friends apartment. This is what I saw in an unlit room, as rendered by my iphone. I really love it. It somehow reminds me of a Brancusi photograph.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

I just had the best day!!! I cannot really say too much about where I was or why, but this is a quick shot from my phone that I love. I think it is nondescript enough. Fantastic London live/work space. Can't wait to share more. Soon!

About to drop off the map for a few days to shoot the first house for the book! I am rather coming unglued with excitement. When all the planning was getting frustrating, or irritating, I would think about being in this particular house finally shooting the book. So much prep goes into these trips that finally getting to actually shoot just feels like aaaahhhhhhh! I am happy. ; )

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

I finally made a pilgrimage to a shop I have wanted to visit for years. Labour & Wait. I got a crush on their brush collection (of course these aren't for sale). They had plenty of other brishes for sale though and many more perfect, well made utilitarian household objects. I mean...they sell pencils! That makes me happy just alone, but so much more wonderful stuff there. Take a look at their website. I bought two perfect cotton handkerchiefs. I like cotton better that silk to wear on my head when I shoot (silk just slips right off).
I was actually in Shoreditch to do my first radio interview for Present Radio. It airs this Sunday. (Present is a really great mens shop, btw. You should check them out too! covetable stuff!) I had a wonderful time chatting with Grace about my musical leanings and working on Handcrafted Modern and how they two are so very inextricably linked for me. Have a listen if you feel like it. I'll post a link after it airs.

Monday, April 9, 2012

A bit of design democracy in action at the V&A Museum today. I rounded a corner and this just made me smile. Of course she is looking away...so maybe democracy is too strong a word?
Still - love the mix.

Friday, April 6, 2012

I am heading to Europe this weekend to shoot my next book and yesterday I just dove into the California hillsides and coastline. Maybe it is because I was born here, but if I think about it too much, being away from this land gives me a little pang. But there are great things ahead!!! I'll focus on that!

Next time you hear from me, I'll be in London. Have a great weekend, friends.

Thursday, April 5, 2012

I am just loving these two shots from my time in the Springs a couple of weekends ago. I've been staring at this first one for awhile. In fact I stared at it on the beach before I shot it as well. I start to see an unruly geisha wig in that fishline. It is kind of spectacular. I should have tried it on like a wig...

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Another shot from that apartment on Washington Square I visited. This image I just really love. It is quiet and calm and the objects in it are a mix beautiful and functional. And I am a sucker for paint chipping and peeling from the wall. This used to be where the artist that lived here would draw. It is easy to see why. I would never leave this room if I lived here...

Monday, April 2, 2012

Last week, during my visit to nyc, I was invited over to an amazing apartment off Washington Square. It was the nyc apartment of movies. The apartment of everyone's NYC dreams. Such a beautiful space! I loved how the light was flooding in during the late afternoon.

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Hey everyone! I keep forgetting to mention that I am now on Twitter. Just thought I would let you all know as I will be heading off to Europe to shoot the new project in a few days and I think this may be the best way to follow along should you all feel like it. I'll tweet images from where I am in real time. London, Milan, Vienna, Paris, the South of France...you get the idea...
My handle is @lwillphoto Hope you'll come along for the ride.